Daniil Medvedev claims his first title of the year after roaring back from one set down to win the Paris Masters and end Alexander Zverev’s red-hot streak
- Daniil Medvedev lost the first set before forcing a decider and securing victory
- The Russian fourth seed’s victory saw him claim his first title of the year
- Alexander Zverev had won his last two tournaments before losing to Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev has won one of the biggest titles of his career after defeating Alexander Zverev in three sets in the final of the Paris Masters.
The Russian, who was the third seed at the tournament, lost the first set after being broken in the 12th game, before grinding down the German’s serve to go 5-4 up in the second set and then holding his nerve to force a decider.
The final set was one-way traffic, with the 24-year-old racing away with the contest and sealing a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 victory after Zverev committed his first double fault of the match.
Daniil Medvedev claimed one of the biggest titles of his career after winning the Paris Masters
Medvedev’s victory stopped Alexander Zverev from winning his third successive tournament
The third-seeded Russian secured just his second win against the fourth-seeded Zverev in seven matches, and his previous victory against the imposing German was also in a Masters final last year in Shanghai.
‘I’m sure we’ll play many more matches together. We’ve known each other since we were 10, it’s great the journey we’re having,’ Zverev said. ‘I hope I can do even better next year.’
It was Medvedev’s first final and title of the year, while Zverev was playing in his third straight final after winning back-to-back tournaments in Cologne, Germany.
It was just the second time in seven games that Medvedev came out on top against Zverev
The battle between first-time finalists here and the last two U.S. Open runners-up went with serve – and with no break points – until Zverev broke Medvedev in the 12th game to take the opening set.
When Medvedev hit a forehand long on that point, Zverev let out a loud roar that pierced the silence at a Bercy Arena left empty by the coronavirus pandemic.
Medvedev’s relentless accuracy from the baseline induced a loose shot from Zverev in the ninth game of the second set when he hit long from the back of the court. Medvedev’s pinpoint returning is among the best on the ATP Tour, and that chipped away at Zverev’s confidence as he won only 57% of points on first serve compared to 75% for Medvedev.
Zverev drew first blood but fell apart in the final set as his serve let him down
Medvedev came back to win next two sets and clinched victory after Zverev double faulted
Medvedev held to love and clinched the second set with his 13th ace, then took control when Zverev padded a weak forehand into the net and was broken to love. After Zverev missed four break-point chances in the next game, he was punished when Medvedev broke him for a 3-0 lead.
Medvedev clinched the victory on his second match point when Zverev double-faulted for the third time in the match.
They could meet again at the season-ending ATP Finals in London from November 15-22.